1. Graduation Requirements Class of 2021
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

2. West Counselors Miranda Dicato A - Coj medicato@wsfcs.k12.nc.us
Jenn Wyshner
Col - Ep
Robin Downs
Es -Ji
Tammy Winchester
Jo - Mo
Katie Widle
Mu - Sh
Sean Sandag
Si - Z

3. Future-Ready Core Course of Study
4 English
4 Math
4 Social Studies
4 Science
2 PE/Health/LMS (.5 credit ea.)
2 electives (electives must be any combination of Career Technical Education, Arts Education or Second Language)
2 additional electives ( from CTE, JROTC, Arts Education or any other subject area)
Total = 22 credits

4. Course Levels
Regular- Written assignments are shorter, have more check points; discussions are shorter, more structured; daily review of assignments, more homework checks
Honors- Focus on high levels of thinking; require self-motivation and ability to complete outside reading; little review; exhibit independent thinking, a strong work ethic; additional reading, writing and research assignments.
Seminar- Expect more depth, creativity, breadth; regular writing assignments with high expectations; emphasis on interpretation and analysis; provides less structure than a traditional honors class; requires additional outside reading beyond the textbook
Advanced Placement- college level writing expectations; high level analysis; college level text; academically gifted, self-disciplined and highly motivated; significantly increased reading, writing and research assignments compared to the honors/seminar levels.

5. Future-Ready Core English
English I, II, III, and IV required
Levels: regular, honors, seminar (English I & II only), AP (Junior and Senior only)

6. Future-Ready Core Science
Earth/Environmental
Biology (Note: students will be placed in Bio HN or Sem. as a 9th grader only if taking Math 2)
A physical Science (e.g. Chemistry, Physics)
One additional science (e.g. Anatomy, Global Science Issues, Zoology)
Levels: regular, honors, seminar (Biology only), AP (upper courses only)

7. Future-Ready Core Social Studies
World History
Civics and Economics
American History I and II or AP U.S. History and one additional course
Levels: regular, honors, seminar (World Hist. & Civics only), and AP

8. Future-Ready Core Math
Four mathematics credits are required
NC Math 1, 2, and 3
And a fourth math course to be aligned with the student's after high school plans (e.g. college or work).
Many options exist. Please talk to your teachers and counselors.
NOTE: Students entering 9th grade with HS Credit in Math 1, must have earned a C and scored at least a level III.

9. + Future-Ready Core Math Sequence + + Future-Ready Core
Eligible for UNC System + +
NC Math 3 3
Courses such as…
NC Math 1 1
NC Math 2 2
4th Math 4
Advanced Functions or Discrete Math
Pre-Calculus
AP Calculus +
Eligible for comm. college
Courses such as…
In rare instances, students will be exempted from the Future-Ready Core math sequence. In cases where parents, teachers, counselors, principals and the students believe a different path is appropriate, the student will take the following sequence…
Accounting II
Drafting II
Advanced Functions or Discrete Math 1
Substitution
Math
Sequence
NC Math I 2
Foundations
Of NC Math II 3
NC Math II 4
Foundations
Of NC Math I
Future-Ready Core 9

10. Course Assignment Principles

11. WS/FC Schools Course Assignment Principles
Assignment Principles are applied for English, math, science, and social studies courses
Based on most recent End of Grade, End of Course exam scores
For rising 9th graders, most recent exam scores are 7th grade EOG scores
Assigned courses and levels will be indicated on student registration cards
Assignment in honors courses is Levels 4 and 5

12. Future –Ready Core Course of Study
Elective Options

13. Arts Education
Students may select from a range of courses in this area including Band, Chorus, Dance, Orchestra, Theater Arts, and Visual Arts.
Levels are beginning, intermediate, proficient, and advanced
Honors credit awarded at proficient and advanced levels
3 years in one of these areas lead to intermediate level, otherwise a portfolio/performance through WSFCS determines placement

14. Career Technical Education
Students may select from a range of courses in this area including: Business, Family and Consumer Science, Health Science, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Trade and Industrial.
CTE Courses available at West for Freshman:
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Principles of Business and Finance
Drafting 1
Principles of Family & Human Services
Technology Engineering & Design
Specialized Courses at the Career Center – available in Junior year.

15. Second or Foreign Language
Students seeking to satisfy college admissions requirements must complete two units of a second language.
Second Language offerings include, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, and American Sign Language
Chinese & Japanese available at Career Center only at 8am
Students are encouraged to continue in the second language sequence through graduation.

16. Army JROTC
Students interested in developing leadership skills may consider taking JROTC courses.
JROTC can fulfill the graduation requirement for Life Skills Mgmt. and PE II.

17. Credit Opportunities
Students and parents should note that while 22 credits are required for graduation, you will have up to 32 credit opportunities.
Students are encouraged to explore areas of interest or courses that will enhance their postsecondary plans.

18. Student Schedules
All high schools use a modified block schedule that consists of four periods a day.
All classes are primarily 90 minutes.
Some classes are A/B day classes that last all year while others are block classes that last one semester.
See “Course Offerings” for breakdown of how courses are offered

20. 10 point grading scale 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D Below 60 F
WS/FCS began using a 10-point grading scale for all students in A B C D
Below 60 F

21. Course Weights
Courses are offered at the regular, honors, seminar, Advanced Placement (AP)
Course weights for 9th ,10th , and 11th graders have changed as the state implements a new system.
Honors—receives .5 additional quality point
AP/IB—receives 1 additional quality point
Dual enrollment/College courses receive 1 additional quality point

22. On-Line Registration

23. On-Line Registration Registration cards will continue to be completed|
(No
On-Line Registration
Registration cards will continue to be completed
Select 8 credits and 4 alternate credits
Paper copies of High School Registration Handbook are available from middle school
Electronic version of High School Registration Handbook available at:
Course selections will be entered by students/parents (process will vary school to school) with support from counselors and teachers
Questions should be directed to the middle school counselor